Winter storm warning in effect for Etowah County

Published: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 3:03 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at 10:27 p.m.

Etowah County has been placed under a winter storm warning from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, with between 3 inches and 5 inches of snow possible in some areas.

DeKalb and Marshall counties also have been placed under a winter storm watch.

Patrick Huselton, public information officer with the Gadsden/Etowah County Emergency Management Agency, said the National Weather Service had a briefing Wednesday afternoon and is forecasting the possibility of banding snow when the storm moves through the area. The bands, in which some areas could receive heavy, brief periods of snow, could result in between 3 inches and 5 inches of snow. Huselton said some areas could have only a light dusting, while other areas have much higher amounts.

“It just depends on where the bands come through,” he said.

A wind advisory could bring winds sustained at 15 to 25 mph, with some gusts up to 36 mph. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. In combination with the winter storm warning, use extra caution if driving.

Any snow that does not melt and dry by late Thursday will be a potential ice threat, as evening temperatures fall to an expected 27 degrees, Huselton said.

Bridges, overpasses and mountainous terrain will be more susceptible to being affected by ice.

An advisory means a potential of up to 2 inches of snow, and a warning means a potential of more than 2 inches of snow.

The NWS office in Huntsville said Marshall and DeKalb counties could have from 2 to 4 inches of accumulation.

Huselton said it is important to pay attention to local forecasts and condition reports.

<p>Etowah County has been placed under a winter storm warning from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, with between 3 inches and 5 inches of snow possible in some areas.</p><p>DeKalb and Marshall counties also have been placed under a winter storm watch.</p><p>Patrick Huselton, public information officer with the Gadsden/Etowah County Emergency Management Agency, said the National Weather Service had a briefing Wednesday afternoon and is forecasting the possibility of banding snow when the storm moves through the area. The bands, in which some areas could receive heavy, brief periods of snow, could result in between 3 inches and 5 inches of snow. Huselton said some areas could have only a light dusting, while other areas have much higher amounts.</p><p>“It just depends on where the bands come through,” he said.</p><p>A wind advisory could bring winds sustained at 15 to 25 mph, with some gusts up to 36 mph. Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. In combination with the winter storm warning, use extra caution if driving.</p><p>Any snow that does not melt and dry by late Thursday will be a potential ice threat, as evening temperatures fall to an expected 27 degrees, Huselton said.</p><p>Bridges, overpasses and mountainous terrain will be more susceptible to being affected by ice.</p><p>An advisory means a potential of up to 2 inches of snow, and a warning means a potential of more than 2 inches of snow.</p><p>The NWS office in Huntsville said Marshall and DeKalb counties could have from 2 to 4 inches of accumulation.</p><p>Huselton said it is important to pay attention to local forecasts and condition reports.</p>